Baking for the Wicked

Chickenless Noodle Soup for the Soul

Everyone knows that chicken noodle soup can help banish a cold. But we vegetarians and vegans cannot eat chicken, so we need something to soothe our aching heads and bones when we are ill. My dear friend told me her husband has pneumonia this week, so I thought I would post this recipe for her.

My mother is a Waldorf School teacher and an early childhood specialist, and she is also a great cook. She has been making this soup, which she affectionately calls “Kindergarten Soup,” ever since I can remember. She has made it for entire classes full of sniffling, germy children, which I think is a testament to its effectiveness.

However, this soup is also delish for healthy people! You don’t have to be ill to enjoy it, in fact, for your sake, I hope you’re not. The flavors in this soup are incredibly clean, and the recipe is forgiving (i.e. you cannot fuck it up). You just throw everything in the pot and walk away. If you’re ill and you have no energy, I guarantee you will appreciate this. It is literally the easiest soup in the world.

In the meantime, stay healthy my darlings!

CHICKENLESS NOODLE SOUP FOR THE SOUL

1 quart (4 cups) of veggie broth, or water with veggie bullion/powdered broth

1 potato, cubed

2 carrots, chopped

1/2 cup frozen corn, or if you are super ambitious you can use fresh corn

Bring your broth to a boil, and add your potatoes and carrots. Turn the heat down to simmer, and let it glurph and glorph for 20 minutes or so. Add your haricots verts next and cook for 5 minutes. Lastly, throw in the frozen peas, and corn, add your spices and fats, and add your pasta. Continue to cook until the pasta is tender.

Serve steaming hot to clear the sinuses (adding paprika also helps to loosen things up) and soothe the throat. A nice hunk of artisan bread or even regular toast is perfect for dipping. So curl up on the couch, watch a dumb movie, and feel sorry for yourself!